The borough council's chairman has released a book in support of her campaign to tackle violence against women and girls.
Cllr Bilqees Mauthoor has published a book named Dear Sheba, which draws on the chairman's own experiences, and officially unveiled it at Watford Museum on Friday, September 24.
It tells the story of how a young girl called Belle transitioned from being a young, affluent and naïve girl who envisaged a happily married life before things took a different turn.
Cllr Mauthoor said: “It was an amazing book launch, I had the crowd in tears and laughter and entertained a good group discussion.
“The audience found the reading captivating, emotional and like no other book launch before.
“This is truly a masterpiece, something in there for everyone.”
The event was in aid of raising funds for Cllr Mauthoor's #delete consortium, which aims to end gender-based violence with her five grassroot charities - Dignify, Homestart Watford, Watford Women’s Centre, Watford Palace Theatre and Safer Places (Stalking Advocacy).
Fellow borough councillor Paul Rabbitts said: “In one of the more unusual requests in my role, I was delighted to be asked by Bilqees to be the toastmaster at the ceremony for her book launch at Watford Museum.
“It was my pleasure, and having read the book a number of times, we ended up having an emotional night with guests enjoying hearing Bilqees read from her book."
Watford & Three Rivers Trust W3RT CVS lead Alex Murray added: “I read this in one sitting and the book raises issues that unless we all take action, will still be prevalent years from now.”
Susie Steyn, consultant to Cllr Mauthoor, said she was a "joy to work with" and that having read the book she is even more certain that more needs to be done to empower girls and women to determine their own fate.
The book is available to buy on Amazon and all funds will go to the consortium before being distributed to charities next year.
READ: Bilqees Mauthoor unveils #delete campaign in Watford
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